Wayne Besen says what he thinks and in his book “Bashing Back” he gives us a new hook on the issues that matter to us. He is a journalist and an activist and this book is a compilation of 72 columns he has written. The topics that he writes on are hot and he has something to say about everything from AIDS to Zach Stark and includes opinions on Ellen DeGeneres and Bill O’Reilly, on “Brokeback Mountain” and gay marriage, on Mary Cheney and “The Passion of the Christ” and so much more. I especially enjoyed his views on Katrina.

The table of contents is handily arranged by the ABC’s and believes e when I say that there is something for everyone in this book. It is a virtual encyclopedia of personal opinion—some you will quickly agree with and others you will push to the side immediately.

Besen maintains that the belief that liberalism means nothing is outlandish and progressive politics mean passivity. His voice s important whether we agree or not and he wishes to give us an “uncompromising commitment to real justice and equality”. Even one who sees what he says as foolish must admit that the man does indeed have something to say. He is completely open and hides nothing and when he deals with the real issues of today, he is verbal and is certain that he will be heard. He calls a dog a dog and nothing stops him from telling the truth.

He writes with wit and knowledge so much so that this book is compelling. His take on the news that deals with our community is refreshing and he helps us to understand what exactly is going on in the world of politics. He knows what is happening but more than that he knows how to relay that information to us.

In looking at liberalism, he maintains that it is the right wing that has impugned the left by “portraying it as a valueless movement mired in social relativism”. He goes on to say that it is the left that is the backbone of freedom. “the defender of personal liberty, the guarantor of free speech and religious worship and the nurturer of democratic movements across the globe…wherever democratic values prevail, civilizations flourish ad emancipated people survive”.

The rights of gay people are important to freedom and prosperity but at the present our rights are lacking and therefore an erosion of freedom is going on in our country. He says we must take back our culture and restore progressive values for the good of the entire nation. It is up to us to create a better world in which all people can live together in harmony and thereby be able to achieve their social, spiritual and human potential. Sounds good, doesn’t it?